An Expectation of Love (Landon House #6) - Rose Pearson

Chapter One

“And now it is to be your turn, Dorothea!”

Lady Dorothea smiled up at her father, feeling her heart soften as she looked up at him. “Will you be quite all right, father?”

Much to her surprise, the Duke did not immediately answer. Rather, his gaze drifted towards Lady Hayward who was sitting with them at the dinner table. There came a gentle smile on his face that Dorothea had never once seen before, something that spoke of a tenderness that had never been outwardly expressed.

“I am sure I shall manage,” he said, after a few moments. “I will, of course, miss your company.”

Dorothea smiled back at him before throwing a quick glance towards Lady Hayward who now had a dusky pink color in her cheeks. “I will miss you also, father,” she said, as Lady Hayward looked back at Dorothea and nodded in evident understanding. “You will be all alone in this house!”

“Ah, but I shall not be,” the Duke replied, with a grin. “I am to have Lady Hayward’s sons here during the Season, so that we might discuss particular matters of business.” His eyes alighted on Lady Hayward once more, sending a wave of unease through Dorothea as she observed something more that had not been evident before. “And so that I can give any further guidance that is required.”

“You have been a great help to them both,” Lady Hayward replied, warmly. “I am very grateful to you.”

“As I am to you!” the Duke exclaimed, his green eyes seeming to alight for a moment. “You have guided my daughters through London and have made certain that each of them have wed a most suitable gentleman.” He sighed contentedly and lifted up his wine glass before directing it towards Lady Hayward. “And I am certain that you will do the very same for my dear Dorothea.”

Lady Hayward nodded, smiled and looked towards Dorothea. “But of course,” she said, as Dorothea returned the smile with one of her own. “I am sure that Lady Dorothea will make the most excellent match, Your Grace. She will be the talk of London!”

“So long as it is not for all the wrong reasons!” the Duke chuckled, which made Dorothea blush with embarrassment. “I look forward to hearing of your success, my dear.” He smiled fondly at her and Dorothea’s embarrassment began to drain away, her excitement and anticipation of making her own way to London beginning to grow steadily. Her sisters had all made excellent matches, that could be in no doubt, although the sister before her, Lady Maria, had only found a husband during her second Season. Dorothea was determined that she would not need to do so. She would be able to find a suitable match during her first Season, she was quite certain.

“As always, you are to make quite certain that Dorothea has all that she requires,” the Duke remarked, waving one hand towards Dorothea as Lady Hayward nodded. “She has been a little more indulged than her sisters, I confess, but that does not mean that she should not have the same extravagances that they received also!”

Dorothea glowed at this remark, knowing very well that what her father said was quite correct but feeling no guilt or shame over that particular remark. As the youngest of all the daughters, she had enjoyed more of her father’s company and, given that she looked a great deal like her late mother with her red hair and oval face, the Duke was all the more inclined towards pandering her a little more. She could still remember how he would fondly pat her on the head when she had been a small child, how she would look up at him and think just how very tall he was. He had always had time for her, even when she had nothing but foolishness to share with him and despite the fact that her sisters were not as welcome as to do as she did.

“I will make quite certain that Lady Dorothea is given all that she requires,” Lady Hayward replied, making Dorothea frown gently. “It will be another excellent Season, I am sure.”

“Requires?” Dorothea repeated, as Lady Hayward took a sip of her wine. “I should hope that I will be given more than just that!” She laughed and looked towards her father, who smiled tolerantly before picking up his fork again. Looking towards Lady Hayward, Dorothea was surprised that there was not the same benevolent smile on her face but that, instead, there appeared